Bringing dreams to children`s life:Online Booklet

CRY America 2015 Booklet
BRINGING CHILDREN’S
DREAMS TO LIFE
Dear CRY America Supporter,
Thank you for supporting CRY America towards making a difference in the lives of thousands of
underprivileged children. Your continuous support has helped ensure children equal opportunities to
dream big and fulfill their potential.
As you leaf through the pages of this booklet, you will read some amazing stories that demonstrate that
dreams do come true! One such story is that of Renuka Madhar from Donwad village who was forced
to drop out of school to get married. But Renuka wants to become a doctor. To bring her dream to life,
the team at CRY America supported Project, Mahila Abhivrudhi Mattu Samrakshana Samasthe (MASS)
worked with the school authorities and counselled her parents about the ill effects of child marriage.
Through a number of relentless efforts the marriage plans were stopped. Renuka is now back in school
and pursues her dream of becoming a doctor.
You will also read about people and businesses who have come forward to make children’s rights
possible - our donors, volunteers, event sponsors, media sponsors, staff and other supporters. Only
because of the support received from 20,885 donors and 2,000 volunteers like you, CRY America has
been able to irreversibly transform the lives of 600,558 underprivileged children living across 2,726
villages and slums through support to 70 Projects in India and USA.
Thousands of children are still looking to us, to help them realize their dreams too. We hope that you
will be inspired by these stories and believe that together, we have and will continue to bring children’s
dreams to life.
With faith and goodwill,
Shefali Sunderlal
President, CRY America
Vision
A happy, healthy and creative child whose rights are protected and honored in a society that is built
on respect for dignity and justice for all.
Mission
To enable people to take responsibility for the situation of underprivileged children, especially Indian,
and so motivate them to seek resolution through individual and collective action thereby enabling
children to realize their full potential and people to discover their potential for action and change.
About CRY America
CRY America is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization driven by its dream of a just world in which all
children have equal opportunities to develop to their full potential and realize their dreams. With the
support of over 20,885 donors and 2,000 volunteers, CRY America has impacted the lives of 600,558
children living across 2,726 villages and slums through support to 70 Projects in India and USA. CRY
America believes that it is possible to ensure lasting change for children and we ensure that children
are restored their basic rights to education, healthcare, nutrition and are protected from child labor,
child marriage and abuse. CRY America support projects that empower communities to address
issues that impact underprivileged children. This includes street children, girl children, children in
labor, children of commercial sex workers, physically and mentally challenged children and children
in institutions.
600,558
2,726
1,187
Children's Lives Impacted
Villages / Slums Covered
Public Schools Activated / Retained
104,972
640
1,758
Birth Registrations
Integrated Child Development
Scheme Centers Activated / Retained
Children's Groups Formed /
Strengthened
498,738
191,901
HOSPITAL
367
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Grant Process
Name
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Grant Process
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Certificate
Name
Project
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Back to School for a Brighter Tomorrow
14 year old Bibhuti Guru from Berhampur, Cuttack, Odisha, India was forced to live with his uncle after
completing class 7 because of a financial crisis at home. He had to discontinue his studies. When he
returned to his village, his friends were concerned about his future and spoke to the team member of
CRY America supported project The Orissa Institute of Medical Research and Health Services
(OMRAH) about his situation. The team spent time talking to his parents, explaining the consequences
of Bibhuti not getting an education and convinced them to send him back to school.
CRY America works with Project OMRAH to create awareness amongst communities about the rights
of their children, encouraging them to monitor health and education services provided by the
government so that children are not denied their rights.
Today a happy Bibhuti, has hopes for a brighter tomorrow because he is back in school.
“Even as I am studying now and working
hard towards my dream of becoming a
Police Officer, Didi (the social worker from
OMRAH) keeps track of my progress and
is very encouraging. I’m sure I will fulfill
my dream one day!” - Bibhuti
The RIGHT TO DEVELOPMENT ensures
every child’s right to education, care,
leisure, recreation, and cultural activities,
so that they are empowered to chase their
dreams.
In the last year alone, Project OMRAH has ensured:
•
•
•
•
100% immunization among children below 5 years.
38 severe cases of malnourishment were referred to higher level for appropriate treatment.
123 births were registered.
18 villages are child trafficking free.
Voices Of Supporters
Rajeev Bhambri, Media Sponsor
Children are the future of any country and education provides the foundation for
them to be the leaders. CRY plays a vital role towards educating them to be that
leader. India Abroad and I are truly happy to support CRY America.
Anita Agarwal, Donor
Educating a child has a profound ripple effect. Not only will it improve a child’s life,
but that of it’s family, community and country leading to the overall enrichment of
mankind.
Aswath Damodaran, Professor NYU
The best gift you can give a child, poor or rich, is hope, and there is no better
instrument for delivering hope than a good education. While the challenge of
educating millions of children in Asia is daunting, each of us can make a
difference.
Ashim Ghosh, CRY Project Support Manager
I think each & every individual in society deserves the right to education. Children
are the pillars of any community - they comprise 40% strength in our society, they
are the torch bearers and deserve the right to education.
Padma Desai, Professor Columbia University
I like to see the sight of children going to school. I strongly believe that girls must
be encouraged to look beyond their roles as mother, sister, wife and become
independent to realize their dreams and potential.
Arushi Jain, Volunteer
Every child in the world has a right to a the proper education and by giving this
right to underprivileged children living in poverty will help break this vicious cycle
and give them the opportunities to lead a better society, a better country and even
a better world. The generations to come will be the future leaders of the world we
call our home, and it is our responsibility to make sure we can provide the gift of
knowledge to these bright, young children.
Madhulica & Parth Misra, Volunteers
Education is a basic human right and a significant factor in the development of
children, communities and countries. Opening classroom doors to all children,
especially girls, will help break the intergenerational chains of poverty because
education is intrinsically linked to all development goals. Education can do many
things. When we educate a girl child in a family, we educate the whole family. It
reduces poverty. Gives them basic knowledge to health, reduces child marriage.
On The Path to Good Health
2 year old baby Ama was malnourished. But for a long time her parents were unaware of it. Her father
Mukesh realized Ama was malnourished in one of the community meetings on the issue of
malnutrition, organized by CRY America supported Project Prayatn in Baran district, Rajasthan, India.
The community along with the team of Prayatn advised him to take the child to the malnutrition
treatment center where he was recommended home-based nutrition like pulses, green vegetables,
milk and supplementary nutritious food for the child.
The Prayatn team regularly visited Ama to monitor her growth. There has been a gradual change in her
health since then and she is now a normal, happy and healthy child.
CRY America supports Prayatn to address health, education and nutrition related issues of children
through community meetings, awareness drives and formation of community member committees to
monitor services.
Mukesh, Ama’s father has now become an active member of the community collective and often
shares his experience with others so that they realize the importance of addressing the issue of
malnutrition early on.
“When he attended the community
meeting he realized his child is
malnourished. She was just 6.7 kg and
used to be sick most of the time. When he
followed the advice of the community
collectives and saw changes in his child,
he started to believe in it. The child is
healthy and normal now at 10.5 kg.” Prayatn team member
The RIGHT TO SURVIVAL is every child’s
right to life, health, nutrition, name,
nationality which not only gives children a
healthy start in life, but also lays a strong
foundation for them to follow their
aspirations.
In the last year alone, Project Prayatn has ensured:
•
•
•
•
15 severely malnourished children were referred to necessary services.
Immunisation was ensured for children and women.
35 children were linked to anganwadi centers.
19 drop-out girls were re-enrolled in school and hostels.
Voices Of Supporters
Harshita Bhurat, Volunteer
CRY America’s value of a “healthy life begins with a healthy childhood” resonates
very strongly with what I believe in.
Patrick Bocco, CRY America Fundraising Manager
Access to basic healthcare and vaccinations must be available to all children. The
high mortality rate in India is unacceptable. We must continue to help children
avoid preventable diseases and gain treatment for curable illnesses.
Rajesh Munshi, Volunteer
Every child is precious and should have a dignified and happy childhood, free
from the clutches of poverty, and disease.
Anupama & Nityan Bhorde, Volunteers
School seems like such a normal part of my and my son's childhood. It's just what
kids do right? Play, go to school and learn and be naughty ... So many children
barely "MAKE IT" through early childhood in India only to live a life of struggle,
hard work and abuse. There is no time for school! Being a child and going to
school is a RIGHT! That's why we support CRY to help children not only survive
but go to school and make the most of their precious lives!
Breaking the Shackles of Marriage to Follow Her Dreams
Class 8 student Renuka Madhar from Donwad village, Chikkodi taluk, Belguam district, Karnataka,
India was forced to drop out of school and get married.
But Renuka wanted to continue her education. The team at CRY America supported project, Mahila
Abhivrudhi Mattu Samrakshana Samasthe (MASS) who works in her village heard of Renuka’s plight in
the community meetings. They met her parents to convince them to put off plans to get Renuka
married till she reaches the legal age for marriage and let her complete her education.
CRY America supports MASS with a special focus on the girl child and works at addressing all forms
of girl child rights violations like female infanticide, female feticide, violence, abuse and harassment.
MASS partners with community members to encourage them to treat the girl child with dignity and
respect and ensure she enjoys her basic rights.
Renuka is now back in school and plans of becoming a doctor.
“I dream to be a Doctor. I am happy to be
playing with children of my age group.
Now, my family is encouraging me to
continue my education. Had I been
married I would have reduced myself to
family responsibilities.” - Renuka Madhar
The RIGHT TO PROTECTION protects
every child from any kind of exploitation,
abuse and neglect, so that there are no
hurdles when the child aims to reach for
the sky.
In last year alone, Project MASS has ensured:
•
•
•
•
539 children were immunized.
22 dropout children were re-enrolled in schools.
223 children are part of the collectives.
Community awareness programmes on malnutrition, child marriage and child labour.
Voices Of Supporters
Jigar Thakkar & Sangeeta Mudnal, Donors
Children should have a busy life - playing with friends, eating healthy food,
studying, growing themselves creatively and intellectually and showered with love.
Instead, when children are asked to earn a living for themselves and their families,
they're robbed of their basic human rights. They're not only losing childhood
which is the best phase of life, they're also diminishing their chances of a healthy,
fruitful future for themselves. For those who are privileged it is our responsibility to
help in any way we can to help these underprivileged children. These beautiful
young people are our future. And each and everyone should have a shot at realizing their full potential
and leading a fulfilled life. We feel that for the cost of a birthday party a year you could change the
future of a child. Then why not?
Maureen Devas, Donor
Child marriage takes away the fundamental right of a child to be a child.
Rishikant Singh, Corporate Sponsor
Child labor is not only an offshoot of poverty; if allowed to perpetuate, it leads to a
vicious cycle of ill health, illiteracy, unemployment; consequently strengthening
poverty, the very evil that it was supposed to eliminate. Child labor deprives a child
of their childhood and an opportunity to be their age.
Sarah Chaudhri, Volunteer
Being a part of CRY has been one of the most rewarding and inspiring time in my
undergraduate career. Before joining, I had been involved with my family in
sending funds to a family in desperate need. Ten years ago, these children
believed they would not be able to receive education but, with a little help from our
family they have been able to reach their full potential. Joining CRY, had been a
continuation of my passion of helping children like I had done with my family. Every
child deserves an opportunity to live within their rights and to be protected and
that is the purpose and why we are with CRY.
Yogita Manghnani, Volunteer
Child marriage takes away a girl's right to a happy and worry free childhood. It
forces her to give up her education, family, friends and familiar environments to
take on the role of a wife at a very young age. The girl child may not be emotionally
or physically ready for physical relationships or handle pregnancies, leading to
complications and death for both the mom and baby. More than anything, child
marriage devalues the girl child in our society. She deserves to enjoy her
childhood, play and go to school just like a male child; contribute to the family and
society at her own terms; choose to marry when she is physically and emotionally ready to build her
own family.
Percy Presswalla, Volunteer
Children are our future. No longer does the theory that 'children are meant to be
seen and not heard' holds ground. Children learn young and have an insatiable
want to learn. The best way to learn is to gain confidence which comes from
decision making at an early age. Let them choose, let them decide, let them learn.
Apoorv Agarwal, CRY America Board
Women are the bedrock of society, they are the foundations on which the society
is based. Who I am has been influenced by the women in my life, like my mother
and my wife. I believe that all girls should get the opportunity that they deserve.
Ajeet Singh, Project Partner
Guria, an initiative supported by CRY works on issues of child trafficking, sex
slavery and bonded labor with a multipronged approach of intervening on various
facets of prevention, rescue, rehabilitation & legal interventions. The interventions
focus on districts of Uttar Pradesh which are poverty struck with a high prevalence
of unsafe migration which become vulnerable for adults and especially children
and threats of being trafficked are high. With our support; which basically focuses
on creating a protective environment in the bordering districts, intensive
engagement with school administrations, police, border security forces and most importantly the
parents and children are facilitated in context of preventing child trafficking. Support to Guria has also
led to rescue of hundreds of children from captivity of sex slavery as well as sites of labor such as brick
kilns. Guria has brought changes in lives of many children, who were trafficked.
Education is the Wind Beneath Her Wings
Sonali’s mother passed away when she was very young and was raised by her grandmother. Her
grandmother encouraged her to go to school and she studied till class five. When her father remarried,
her step-mother favored Sonali’s brother and sent him to school. Sonali was forced to discontinue her
studies. When she shared her story with the Children’s Collective in the village, CRY America
supported project Society for Advancement in Tribes, Health, Education, Environment (SATHEE) team
decided to discuss the matter with her father and step-mother. After several efforts, they convinced her
parents and Sonali was happy to be back in school.
CRY America works with SATHEE in Godda district, Jharkhand, India to ensure children are
immunized, their growth monitored, they are out of child labor and into schools so that their rights are
protected. SATHEE also organizes Children’s Collectives where children are engaged in discussions
and are encouraged to express themselves and have a say in decisions affecting their lives.
Sonali went on to help six other girls by re-enrolling them back to school and plays an active role in the
school enrolment initiatives in her village.
“I don’t want to see childhood wasted
without education. This year I passed my
secondary board examinations in first
division. I am now studying in Class
Eleven. I want to take up teachers’
training after I complete my education
and help the children of my community
learn and move forward in life!” – Sonali
The RIGHT TO PARTICIPATION is right of
every child to expression, information,
thought and religion and plays a key role in
giving children the right platform to take
decisions in matters affecting them.
In the last year alone, SATHEE has ensured:
•
•
•
•
35 malnourished children were refered to malnutrition treatment centers.
10 primary schools were upgraded to Upper Primary.
48 villages have been made child labour free.
25 trafficked children were re-united with their families.
Voices Of Supporters
Laxmi, Child from Project Mahila Abhivruddhi Mattu Samrakshana
Samsthe [MASS]
I want to study, learn well and have a passion to become a teacher. But there is no
school in my village after Class 8 and I am worried that my parents will marry me
off, like my sister. But I will fight for my right as I have a small booklet on which
speaks about the rights of children. I will not only protect and resist myself myself
from getting into marriage, but also henceforth ensure that none of my friends
discontinue school and get married.
Shikha Bhatia, Volunteer Leader
Breaking social and political walls to bring a sustainable change for underprivileged
children in India is what CRY does. It is very humbling to be a part of such an
amazing group of volunteers who are dedicated to using all their resources and
knowledge to bring a lasting change in children’s lives.
Lalithamma, Partner, Project People’s Organization for Rural Development
[PORD]
The CRY partnership has given PORD an opportunity to strengthen our
perspective on child rights and has enabled us impact lives of many children
positively. PORD sees the CRY partnership as an invaluable one and has added to
our efforts to protect child rights.
Vijaya Vavilikolanu, Volunteer
Children are the future and they need a proper education to develop, help the
society and build a stronger nation.
Sudarsna Chari, Volunteer
The word “Child” comes from the Latin word “Infans” which means “the one who
does not speak”. This etymology definition to me is the underlying reason why I
feel passionate about being part of CRY and Child Welfare. Children’s rights are
human rights. A child from infancy to 6 years of age develops a sense of self which
is attributed to brain development. Life experiences at this time shape their
emotional well- being and a roadmap for the future is created. This is why, the right
to live and live free, the right to develop physically, emotionally and intellectually, the right to
healthcare, sanitation and education is as important (if not more) for a child than it is to an adult. Child
welfare must not only protect children as they are human beings but must specifically be adapted to
their needs based on age-appropriateness and vulnerabilities. Child welfare must cater to protecting
children by providing particular assistance to them especially during the formative years against labor
exploitation, child marriage, girl child discrimination and child trafficking. For, don’t we all strive
everyday to heal the world and make it a better place for our CHILDREN?
Golda from Austin, Volunteer
These are basic rights. It’s not just about the right to live but to live with adequate
nutrition, to survive with dignity, with healthcare, with nutrition, without
malnourishment, with a wholesome family life and I feel strongly that we should
fight for this.
Acknowledgements & Honor Roll
• The Hans Foundation
for $ 21,000 towards Project Mountain Children’s Fund & $ 20,000 towards our ‘Let Her Fly’ campaign.
• Jigar Thakkar & Sangeeta Mudnal
for $ 15,000 towards Project Sathee, in loving memory Mr. S.R. Mudnal.
• Aprajita & Ravi Ramamoorthy
for $ 10,000 towards Project Prayatn.
• Naveen & Anu Jain
for $ 10,000 sponsorship towards Seattle Uphaar 2015.
• Parag & Deepali Desai
for $ 10,000 towards the cause of underprivileged children.
• Suman Bharti & Corsetdeal.com
for $ 8,000 towards Project PORD.
• Air India
for $ 5,000 national sponsorship towards CRY Walk for Child Rights.
• Sandeep Jain
for $ 5,000 towards Project SSDC.
• Dr. Navin Mehta
for $ 5,000 towards Project SSDC.
• Dr. Vipul Shah
for $ 5,000 towards Project PORD.
• Dr. Krishna Kakani
for $ 5,000 towards Project PORD.
• Balaji Tamirisa
for $ 5,000 towards Project PORD.
• Devpriya Mallick
for $ 5,000 towards children’s rights.
• Dr. Ajay Lodha & AAPI, Queens & Long Island
for $ 5,000 towards Project Prayatn.
• Anupam Yadav & Stratus Vapor Lounge
for $ 5,000 towards CRY’s New York Cricket event & $ 5,000 towards CRY’s New York
Walk event.
• DTCC
for $ 5,000 towards CRY’s New York Cricket event.
• Harshawardhan and Rupal Patil
for $5,000 donation towards New York Pledge dinner 2015.
• Raja Venugopal & Madhu Gadde, Gurdeep Pall & Seema Pareek, Hemant &
Geeta Vyas and Aditi Technologies Pvt. Ltd
for $5,000 donation each towards Seattle Uphaar 2015.
• Sudha Sahai & East Village Apartments
for $ 2,000 towards Project SSDC.
• Raj Arneja & Nanak Foods
for $1,000 towards New York Pledge dinner 2015
• Indus American Bank
for $1,000 towards New York Pledge dinner 2015 & New Jersey CRY Walk.
• Prominent Artists: Nitin Nangare, Murali Nagapuzha,
Anu Kulkarni, Suresh Gulage & Abhang Balasaheb
for donating their paintings for auction at CRY’s Gala Dinner
at New York.
• Kalyan Popuri
for donating his $ 2,500 performance award from GE Capital
Treasury to CRY America & the cause of underprivileged children.
• Arti Mohin & Shani International
for part sponsorship of the CRY Walk T-shirts nationally.
• Patel Brothers
for $ 500 sponsorship towards Chicago CRY Holi event.
Media Sponsors
Thank You For Being Our National Sponsors
Parikh Worldwide Media, LLC.
Thank You For Being Our Regional Sponsors
Volunteering @ CRY America
CRY America is the result of collective action of thousands of volunteers across 19 cities, who come
together to make change happen! CRY America volunteers give their time and resources despite busy
schedules, only because of their commitment to ensure a better future for underprivileged children.
You too can be a part of the team of 1,000 volunteers who play an active role in organizing events,
raising funds and raising awareness on child rights issues through volunteer led and managed Action
Centers. A big Thank You goes out to our volunteer leaders and all our volunteers for being the
backbone of CRY America! A list of Action Centers in 2015 is given below. We are always looking for
new volunteers to join our Action Centers. Join today! For more information, contact
volunteers@cryamerica.org
Action Center [AC]
AC Leader’s Name
AC Contact
Alabama
Hanu Karlapalem
hanusri@hotmail.com
Atlanta
Ekta & Aarushi Jain
cryamerica.atlanta@gmail.com
Austin
Golda Sahayam
austin@cryamerica.org
Bay Area
Sushmita Pilaka
bayarea@cryamerica.org
Boston
Harshita Deshpande
harshas.email@gmail.com
Buffalo
Ashith Shetty
ashithba@buffalo.edu
Chicago
Ankit Mahajan
volunteers@cryamerica.org
Dallas
Mandeep Gulati
Cryamerica.DallasAC@gmail.com
Houston
Madhulica Misra
Houston@cryamerica.org
Los Angeles
Position Vacant
losangeles@cryamerica.org
New York
Parul Juneja
crynewyork@gmail.com
New Jersey
Shikha Bhatia
Shikha.crynj@gmail.com
Philadelphia
Hari Namboodiri
Philadelphia@cryamerica.org
Phoenix
Pooja Reddy Kalva
phoenix@cryamerica.org
Raleigh
Nishant Singh
volunteers@cryamerica.org
San Diego
Ruchika Pandey
sandiego@cryamerica.org
Seattle
Rajesh Munshi
events@cryseattle.org
Texas A&M Univ
Debajit Dasgupta
Tamu.cry@gmail.com
University of WA
Priyanka Gautom
cryuw@uw.edu
CRY WALK FOR CHILD RIGHTS 2015
Our annual national CRY Walk for Child Rights event is being
organized across 17 cities this year - bringing thousands of
individuals together with the belief that 'Change is possible,
because we will make it possible'. A big Thank You to all our
volunteers, donors, teams & event sponsors for supporting CRY
Walk 2015! Special thanks to our national sponsors, Air India,
Star TV, TV Asia, India Abroad, Stratus, DTCC, Ultimate Vapor
Source, Shani International & Mera Sangeet.
CRY Walk 2015 series was launched on the East Coast on 8/23 at the Riverside Park, NY where 40
people, including the Air India Team, walked & raised $17,000 for child rights. Students played a key
role in raising $3,000 for the Philadelphia CRY Walk & 30 supporters gathered at the Dresher Road Park
in Horsham PA on 9/12 to walk for child rights. It was a beautiful day on 9/13 at the Roosevelt Park in
Edison, NJ where 85 walkers demonstrated their commitment to the cause, and also enjoyed the
breakfast, yoga, dance classes, raising $18,000! 70 walkers and 7 Teams, including grandparents and
little kids also walked together at the Chestnut Hill Reservoir, Boston for child rights raising $13,000 for
CRY. Students led the 5k CRY Walk on 9/20 at Morrisville Park, Raleigh with over 30 people attending
and raising $3,000 for underprivileged children, where the samosas & cookies were a bonus!
On the West Coast, over 170 adults & kids walked and ran for child rights on 8/29 at the Seward Park
in Seattle raising approx $6,500! On 4/26, 35 supporters, specially high school & middle school
students led by the Krovidi family walked for child rights at the Ken Mercer Sports Park at Pleasanton,
CA & raised $2,700. The CRY Walk at San Diego will take place at the 4S Ranch Community Park on
10/4, along with the Bay Area CRY Walk on the same day at the Paseo Padre Park in Fremont, CA. Do
join us for these 2 events & 2 other CRY Walks in CA - the CRY Walk at Santa Monica Beach, LA on
11/8 and the CRY Walk at Antelope Valley led by the Bhorde family in Palmdale on 11/14.
The CRY Walk at Atlanta on 9/12 at the SIMS Lake Park at Suwanee was attended by 110 walkers and
raised $5,000 for child rights, with a strong presence of high school students! The Houston CRY Walk
is being organized on 10/10 at the Lost Creek Park in Sugar Land, while College students will lead the
5k CRY Walk at the Texas A&M University Campus on 10/10 for a great cause & the Dallas CRY Walk
will also take place on 10/10 at the Campion Trails, Mountain Creek Preserve in Dallas, TX for child
rights! The Phoenix CRY Walk is being planned for 11/7 at the Arrowhead Park & the Austin CRY Walk
will also be held in 11/15 at Devine Lake Park, Leander TX. Despite the rain, the CRY Walk at San Diego
took place at the 4S Ranch Community Park on 10/4 in which 185 people participated in the 10k Run,
5k Run, 5k Walk, 1k Kids Dash, yoga sessions and the food! The event raised $15,000 for children’s
rights. Our Bay Area CRY Walk was also held on 10/4 at the Paseo Padre Park in Fremont, CA in which
number ofpeople walked for child rights & raised $11,500.
CRY
Walk
Location
Date
Venue
Event Teams
Event Sponsors
Pleasanton,
CA
Apr 22
Ken Mercer
Sports Park
CRY FTW
PwC Dollars for Doer’s
New York
Aug 23
Riverside Park,
Manhattan
CRY Costume Walk;
Air India Team;
UVS Team UVS/
Sol Trading,
Seattle
Aug 29
Seward Park
-
-
Dallas
Oct 10
Campion Trails
Mountain Creek
Preserve, Irving,
TX
-
FunAsia, Grace and
Grooves,
Biwarchi Signature
Atlanta
Sep 12
Sims Lake Park,
Suwanee
Team Arushi
DelPhi Communications,
Achieve High Points,
Bawree, Ameri100,
Dunkin Donuts,
Nazeera Dawood,
S3 Group Inc,
Venkta Kutua Photography,
Atlanta Healthcare,
Global Academy
Philadelphia Sep 12
Dresher Road
Park, Horsham
CRY All Stars;
Team Shroff;
Team Gupta’s
New Jersey
Sep 13
Roosevelt Park,
Edison
Team Hope,
Dream Walkers
Indus American Bank,
Whole Foods Montclair,
Orator Academy,
Shiamak, Ultimate Media,
Bombay Bistro,
Mehtani Restaurant Group,
Insta Events
Boston
Sep 13
Chestnut Hill
Reservoir,
Brookline
Mathworks,
Boston University,
Phitness Phreaks,
Child Rights and
Beyond, *YOU*could
Make A Difference,
Kokas on the Loose,
Team LV
Mathworks, Synapse
CRY
Walk
Location
Date
Venue
Event Teams
Event Sponsors
Raleigh
Sep 21
Morris
Community Park
Team Renuka, Team,
Pavan, Angelie
Salunke, Ojesvii Sethe,
Dimple,
Unity in Diversity,
Mrs. Fields
San Diego
Oct 4
4S Ranch
Sports Park
TCS,
Soft HQ;
CRY@NationalUniversity
Bay Area
Oct 4
Lake Elizabeth
Park, Fremont
Sunnygang,
FUNtastic, Ambers,
V for Fremont
Biryani Bowl, Road ID,
Radio Zindagi,
Shastha Foods,
Young Explorers
Jay Bharat
Houston
Oct 10
Lost Creek Park,
Sugar Land
Team Memorial; Indira
& Ravali’s Team;
Good Karma;
Stratford HS
CGI, Radio Hungama,
Knowlan, Rhythm India,
HumtumDesi, Alings,
Andhra Mirchi Radio,
Music In The Box
Texas A&M University
Oct 10
Texas A&M
University Campus
Chipotle, Taz Indian
Cuisine, Pepsi
Phoenix, AZ Nov 7
Arrowhead Park
Los Angeles Nov 8
Crescent Bay
Park,
Santa Monica
Be the Change,
Team Gunjan
Studio Maesto
Antelope
Valley, CA
Nov 14
Kerr Park,
Palmdale
CRYAVwalk
-
Austin, TX
Nov 15
Devine Lake Park,
Leander TX
To know more visit: http://america.cry.org/site/events/cry-walk-2015.html
CRY Dinner
@ New York: Pledge 2015
CRY America hosted its annual benefit dinner ‘Pledge 2015’ on
May 8 at New York’s Taj Pierre which was attended by 100
guests & raised $78,000, valuable resources directed towards
funding several projects to ensure lasting change for children.
The event was attended by prominent personalities: Mrs.
Nirupama Rao, Prof Aswath Damodaran, Dan Nainan, Rajeev
Bhambri, Anita & Ajay Agarwal, Rupal & Harsh Patil, Meenakshi
& Vikas Mahajan, Roopam Jain, Shikha & Mohit Bhatia,
Maureen & Gerard Devas, Rishi Raina & Purvi Naik, Devpriya
Mallick.
Paintings donated by famous Indian artists, Murali Nagapuzha,
Anu Kulkarni, Suresh Gulage, Abhang Balasaheb, Nitin
Nangare, Arvind Kolapkar, an autographed bat by Cricket
legend Saurav Ganguly were auctioned at the New York dinner.
CRY America thanks our media partners Star TV, TV Asia, India
Abroad, Parikh Worldwide, and our event sponsors Taj Pierre,
Air India, Nanak Foods, Indus American Bank, Sessions with
Ravi, MadAd Marketing, Bollywood Dance Factory for their
generous support.
Speaker Ms. Nirupama Rao, former Indian Ambassador to the
US shared, "Gender is now mainstreamed into the national
debate in India. This is a crucial development because it
enables a clearer focus on the challenges that confront women
and young girls today. The issues of security, freedom from
violence, and empowerment for women are now imprinted on
the national conscience."
Professor Aswath Damodaran from the Stern School of
Business, NYU shared, “The best gift you can give a child, poor
or rich, is hope, and there is not a better instrument for
delivering hope than a good education. While the challenge of
educating hundreds of millions of children in Asia is daunting,
each of us can make a difference, and I hope that I can deliver
that message".
@ Seattle: Uphaar 2015
Uphaar 2015 benefit dinner by CRY Seattle Action Center was
held at the Overlake Golf Club on March 21 and was attended by
125 donors. The evening speaks volumes about our generous
donors who helped us raise $129,000 for children’s rights.
Our heartfelt thanks to our Diamond Sponsor, Inome & Silver
Sponsor, Aditi Technologies, for their consistent support and to
Vijay Vashee for the inspiring keynote speech! Our special thanks
to Anu & Naveen Jain, Sangeeta Mudnal & Jigar Thakkar,
Gurdeep and Seema Pall & Pradeep & Ruby Singh for their
continued support and encouragement. Thank you to all our
guests of Uphaar 2015 for celebrating the spirit of giving with us.
Our thanks go out to Prashanthi Chitre, Institute of Performing
Arts for the performance by the kids, Prasanna Ganapule &
Suneer Mehmood for mesmerizing us with their talents, Lori
Thantos for the wonderful photographs and DJ Sats for keeping
the fun pumping through the night!
@ Alabama: Viswaprem 2015
CRY Dinner @ Alabama: Viswaprem 2015 was organized on
April 25 at the Gooch Place Grand Ballroom, Madison. The
evening was attended by 120 guests who came together to
raise $15,000 and partner CRY America’s work to benefit
underprivileged children.
The event highlight included dance performances by children
followed by a musical evening of Bollywood music by local
singers Ramesh Gopalakrishna, Dr. Anup Sharma, Veena
Sharma, Dr. Baber S Khan, Babli Bandyopadhyay & Hanu
Karlapalem.
Our heartfelt thanks to COLSA Corporation, Dr. Krishna Kakani
& Balaji Tamirisa for their generous donations & continued
sponsorship.
CRY Holi 2015 & CRYket 2015
CRY Holi @ Seattle gets bigger & more awesome each year
with 3,800 participants at the March 7 event which raised
$36,000 for underprivileged children! CRY Holi @ San Diego
was another huge success with 2,000 attendees on March 7 at
the Hourglass Community Park which raised $18,000 for child
rights. The first CRY Holi @ Atlanta was a great
accomplishment, with hundreds of students and community
members coming together to make a difference in the lives of
children on March 7 at the Shakerag Park & raising $2,000. CRY
Holi @ Pittsburgh was held on April 11 at the Schenley Park
with colors, water balloons, Bollywood music and fun, while
also making a difference in the lives of children by raising
$1,970! The event was attended by 150 people and organized
with support from ANKUR-IGSA, University of Pittsburgh. CRY
Holi @ Chicago on April 18 saw 60 people gather at the Busse
Woods Forest Preserve to raise $1,220 for child rights and
celebrate the festival of colors! A big thank you to all our
donors, volunteers and event sponsors for joining & supporting
us for CRY Holi 2015!
CRY Cricket @ Houston was held on May 9 at the India House.
Our thanks go out to Mr Jugal Malani, President of India House
for being our Chief Guest & our event sponsors: Anand &
Ashima Chauhan, the Texas Family Pediatric Group, HTBC,
Mathnasium, Radio Hungama, www.humtumdesi.com. 100
participants with 22 players from two teams with the HCC
(Houston Cricket Club) team being the winners and the YTCC
team was the runner up! CRYKET @ New York brought together
cricket enthusiasts batting and fielding for child rights from the
NY-NJ area on July 11 at the Van Cortland Park, Bronx, NY. 160
participants and 16 teams participated, with the JJ Boys team
being the winners and LI Connections team the runner up! We
thank our supporters, volunteers and event sponsors,
especially Stratus & DTCC for making CRYket 2015 an
awesome success.
Gautam Alla Visits Project Shramika Vikasa Kendram (SVK)
In Hyderabad On June 19, 2015
I want to share my experience regarding a visit to CRY-supported project SVK with all our CRY
volunteers! Lipika Sharma who works at CRY Mumbai facility arranged the trip and affirmed the date
of visit for me. Suneel from CRY Bangalore is the Program Manager & he visits this project site every 3
months and coordinates various activities with the SVK team.
The project is called Shramika Vikasa Kendram (abbreviated as SVK) located at Kollapur,
Mahbubnagar Dist, Telangana, India. Kollapur is like any other typical Indian town which shares its
borders with state AP, River Krishna and nearby backwoods called as Nallamala.
1)
About the SVK team:
a)
b)
c)
2)
About SVK’s work:
a)
b)
c)
d)
3)
SVK is guided by Laxman Rao Sir and has about 20 staff. They have at first started from a
Mandal-level panel and spread more than 5 Mandals covering around 98 villages. SVK
Project has a decade long relationship with CRY.
SVK group is loaded with super energetic individuals who truly strive to meet their
objectives! Group further parts into sub-groups and further focalizes to multiple village-level
collectives.
Team’s major focus is on issues identified with Children. They battle hard for community
empowerment through individual and council-level assemblages.
SVK hopes to encourage a sound domain for the best possible childhood utilizing different
methods yet not constrained to village-collectives, media-mindfulness programs, data
collection, and serving to shape policy-building.
SVK works in conjunction with Health workers/others to ensure birth registrations, health
monitoring, social participation using Children’s Collectives.
SVK tries to address issues like Child labor, Child marriage, Malnutrition, Enrollment and
retention of school children, CHENCHU tribal-community empowerment, channelize local
talent and foster leadership skills among children!
SVK started to mobilize local people to bring awareness and help them to secure basic
facilities to their respective zones.
About SVK’s solutions & Community Based Organisations (CBO):
a)
b)
SVK serves to shape and keep up a lasting change by making CBOs otherwise known as
Village Community Groups at all 98 villages.
CBOs are actively charged gatherings which assemble individuals/members and screen
neighborhood frameworks and organizations like Health focuses, Public schools and to
guarantee a smooth working!
4)
About SVK’s achievements:
a)
b)
c)
5)
Interaction with SVK Kids and School Clubs:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
6)
I have spent some time with Chenchu-Tribal group of kids at a local Nursery center which
had no shelter/building. Children were joyfully appreciating the lessons and recreations
taught by their instructors under shades of trees!
The school club is started and maintained by SVK alongside their school teachers.
All the youngsters know the ill-effects of Child marriages and know how to address the
issue if there is any such thing found in their neighborhood.
Children in these clubs take part in a few activities and exercises driven by SVK! They all are
resolved to improve as an individual and I could see it in their eyes!
We all posed for some cool pictures, and really it was a fun minute for each one of us!
About our CRY Seattle Action center:
a)
b)
7)
Ensuring a proper social participation of Tribal groups – For this they encourage kids to
participate in mainstream education.
Securing facilities to local population like Health centers, Degree College, Welfare Hostels.
Numerous parents understand the help and care taken by SVK after seeing their kids
furthering education and shining in self-chosen careers.
I have talked with SVK members around 8 of them about our work. Told them about our
experiences and events that we organize to channelize the funds.
Told them how we connect, interact and have a ton of fun at our events! They were amazed
to think about our CRY-bonding and devotion towards its objectives!
Overall Impressions:
a)
b)
c)
Project Visit really helped me to comprehend the core issues and difficulties confronted by
Children and NGO colleagues alike!
I was able to appreciate their work and dedication in person! There were numerous
eye-openers for me and I got a few goosebumps when the team began to share their
examples and success stories!
Really it is an amazing package altogether! I wish each one of us have a chance to visit! All
your work and endeavors will certainly help to bring the change!! Hats-off to all of your
dedication, time and efforts!
Change that been made possible in 2014:
•
•
•
•
Out of 1842 children between 0-1 years, 1530 children’s births
were registered threby ensuring them an identity.
3 new anganwadi centeres were opened and 6 anganwadis
were strengthened through mass campaigning.
184 children were prevented from dropping out of schools.
104 children removed from labour and re-enrolled in schools.
Mar
Jan
Apr
Feb
Aug
Jun
Nov
Jul
Dec
May
Oct
Sep
CRY Drops - Monthly Recurring Donation Program
Enabling sustainable change requires consistent efforts,
and your consistent support. We invite you to join a
special group of CRY supporters by enrolling in CRY
DROPs, our monthly recurring donation program.
Benefit to You: It is a hassle-free process to sign up and
equally simple to opt out of. Your consistent support will
help us plan grants more effectively and impact the lives
of many more children.
Benefit to CRY America: Provides us with ongoing
resources, helps us to plan ahead and saves money on
fundraising costs.
To join CRY Drops online, click here.
[https://america.cry.org/site/participate/donation-recurrin
g.html]
To join CRY Drops offline, click here.
[http://america.cry.org/site/participate/recurring-monthlydonations-offline.html]
CRY Major Gift Program
Major Gift Program is another way for an individual or
corporate to support the cause. If you wish to donate
$ 5,000 or more then we can help you find a CRY America
supported project to fund and support. We will send you
detailed project progress reports every 6 months so you
know the impact you have enabled in the project area.
You could also visit the Project yourself.
To know more about CRY Major Gift Program, write to
lipika.sharma@crymail.org
Other Ways To Give
Gift a Donation:
Add joy to a loved one's special occasion or to yours, by gifting a donation to children. Make a
donation to CRY America and send a special egreeting to wish your friends or loved one on their
birthday, anniversary or special occasions.
My Occasion & CRY:
Here is an opportunity for you to share your special day with underprivileged children and enable
lasting change in their lives. Set up your page on www.america.cry.org with your special message and
request your friends and loved ones to donate to CRY America in lieu of gifts to you on your special
occasion.
Donate Your Old Car to CRY America:
We have tied up with Cars4Causes, so used cars can be donated from anywhere in the USA. It is hassle
free with Cars4Causes handling all the paper work, title change, free pick up and sale of the car.
Corporate Matching Gifts:
Most companies match their employees’ charitable contributions and some even contribute against
volunteering time spent by their employees. Do consider increasing your donation to CRY America
through your employer’s Matching Gift program.
Greeting Cards:
Bring joy to your friends, colleagues and clients by sending CRY America Greeting Cards this festive
season and give underprivileged children a better future.
Legacy Giving:
Your legacy gift will enable long term stability for CRY America and give wings to thousands of
children's dreams.
Patrick Bocco recalls meeting with Ajeet Singh
[Head of Project Guriya] in New Jersey in April 2015.
CRY America staff had the honor of meeting Project Guriya’s founder Mr. Ajeet Singh and his wife
Manju on April 22, 2015 while he was visiting Princeton University. We experienced his sense of
activism and advocacy in the fight against child trafficking in India during the few hours we spent
together on a trip back and forth to Glen Ridge, NJ and in our meeting with a small group of CRY
America donors and supporters. Special thanks to CRY America Advisory Board member Mrs. Anita
Agarwal for hosting the meeting with Mr. Singh at her home.
Mr. Singh discussed with great passion how he and his team members risk their lives every day to
trace missing children and rescue them from trafficking. They come under attack from the traffickers
and are offered little or no help from the police who are often paid by the traffickers and conspire in the
racket. Mr. Singh also spoke via conference call to some of CRY America’s volunteers and provided in
great detail the excellent work they do in Uttar Pradesh with children, despite the danger and lack of
law enforcement help. It was harrowing to hear Mr. Singh speak about his team’s sacrifice but yet learn
of the hope and success they are having in rescuing so many children from what would be a dismal
future of sexual violence, abuse and forced labor. Through the work of the Guriya team, they have
successfully traced hundreds of children and rescued hundreds more. Now that the basic rights of
these children are restored and they are protected from abuse, the children now can experience their
right to survival, development, protection and participation.
Mr. Ajeet Singh is grateful to have the partnership with CRY America to prevent sex trafficking of
children and end child prostitution. His work is in the rural areas and red light district of Varanasi. His
team executes the rescue of the children and education and vocational training afterward. The
children are needed to testify against their accusers in court. Mr. Singh provides them with witness
protection so justice is carried out and the guilty are brought to justice and prohibited from trafficking
more children. I believe that this partnership between Project Guriya and CRY America is enabling a
better world without gender bias, abuse, victimization, prostitution and exploitation of children.
PROJECT IMPACT:
•
•
•
•
•
•
194 trafficked children rescued by Guriya till date.
315 legal cases filed against 853 human traffickers till date.
All rescued cases documented & produced for further legal processes.
Anti trafficking campaigns organized in in Mau and Ghazipur districts.
Village meetings conducted around trafficking.
Awareness programs in 3 schools in Maharajganj & 3 schools in Siddarathnagar.
PLANS
• Data collection from different sources, compiled & classified to understand the means used for
trafficking.
• In depth operation to be carried out to rescue & to understand the chronic nature of the situation
(individual & group rescues).
• Case studies by staff to share with government bodies, media & courts.
• Capacity building of youth on rescue operations.
• Data collection on migration & understand its linkages with child sexual abuse & child marriage in
Mau, Ghazipur, Azamgarh & Varanasi.
• Part legal support to PIL in Supreme Court on linking cases of missing children with trafficking of
children.
• Community mobilization on preventive aspect of trafficking through street plays, folk songs &
campaigns in schools.
• Interface with state & central government officials, lawmakers, media to sensitize them against child
trafficking.
Click here to view the Guria project video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjvxIZMiXzQ
CRY AMERICA’S
PLEDGE FOR CHILDREN
Before anything else, I am a human being.
As are children. The rights I enjoy are theirs too.
They have a right to a home and family, education, healthcare,
play time and protection from being exploited.
Most of all, they have the right to be children.
A right they are denied, for no fault of theirs.
And so, I pledge to do whatever I can, in my own way,
to fight for their right to have a childhood.
With my skills, with my resources, with my heart,
I will fight for them because I can and they can't.
For more information visit www.america.cry.org
CRY America, P.O. Box 850948, Braintree, MA 02185-0948
MAIL US: support@cryamerica.org; CALL US: 339 235 0792 , 617 959 1273